Resetting the Wi-Fi on your Brother printer is often necessary if the device is having trouble connecting to your wireless network, if you’ve changed your router or Wi-Fi password, or if the printer was moved to a new network. A Wi-Fi reset clears all previous wireless settings, allowing you to set up the printer on a new network from scratch. This guide will walk you through the steps to reset the Wi-Fi on a Brother printer, using both the printer’s control panel and other methods, depending on the model.
1. Why Reset the Wi-Fi on Your Brother Printer?
Before diving into the steps for resetting the Wi-Fi, it’s essential to understand why this might be necessary. Here are some common reasons:
- Router Changes: You’ve upgraded to a new router, changed your Wi-Fi name (SSID), or updated your network password.
- Connection Issues: The printer frequently disconnects from Wi-Fi or cannot find the network.
- Moving to a New Location: If you’ve moved your printer to a new office or home with a different Wi-Fi network, resetting is required.
- Stuck on Old Network Settings: If the printer is stuck on an old Wi-Fi network, it will be unable to connect to the new one unless the previous settings are cleared.
2. Method 1: Resetting Wi-Fi Using the Printer’s Control Panel
Most Brother printers come with a built-in control panel that allows you to reset the network settings easily. Here’s how you can reset the Wi-Fi settings on your Brother printer using this method:
a. Navigate to Network Settings
- Turn on the Printer: Ensure your Brother printer is powered on and ready.
- Access the Menu: On the printer’s control panel, press the “Menu” button to enter the main settings.
- Go to Network Settings: Use the arrow keys to scroll through the menu and select “Network.” Press “OK” to enter the network settings.
b. Reset Network Settings
- Find Network Reset: Within the “Network” menu, navigate to “Network Reset” or “Restore Network Settings,” depending on your printer model.
- Confirm the Reset: You may be asked to confirm the action. Select “Yes” or “OK” to proceed with the reset.
- Reboot: Once the network settings are reset, the printer will typically reboot automatically. After it restarts, the Wi-Fi settings will be cleared, and the printer will be ready for new wireless setup.
3. Method 2: Factory Reset (Full Reset)
If resetting the Wi-Fi settings alone doesn’t solve the problem or if the printer is still experiencing issues, a full factory reset might be necessary. This reset will clear all customized settings, including Wi-Fi, network, and user preferences, restoring the printer to its original factory state.
a. Steps for Factory Reset
- Turn on the Printer: Make sure your Brother printer is powered on and operational.
- Access the Menu: Press the “Menu” button on the printer’s control panel.
- Go to Initial Setup: Use the arrow keys to scroll to “Initial Setup” or “All Settings” and press “OK.”
- Select Reset: Scroll down to “Reset” or “Factory Reset.”
- Confirm the Reset: You will be asked to confirm the reset. Select “Yes” or “OK” to proceed. The printer will then restore its settings to factory defaults, including the Wi-Fi settings.
After completing the factory reset, you will need to reconnect the printer to the Wi-Fi network.
4. Method 3: Using Brother’s Software (BRAdmin or ControlCenter4)
In some cases, you can also reset Wi-Fi settings using Brother’s proprietary software tools, such as BRAdmin Professional or ControlCenter4. These tools are useful if you prefer to manage network settings from your computer rather than through the printer’s control panel.
a. Using BRAdmin Professional
- Install BRAdmin: Download and install the BRAdmin Professional utility from Brother’s official website.
- Scan for Devices: Launch BRAdmin and let it scan your local network for connected Brother devices.
- Select the Printer: Once your Brother printer appears in the list, right-click on it and select “Network Configuration.”
- Reset Network Settings: Navigate to the option to reset network settings. Confirm the reset, and the Wi-Fi settings will be erased.
b. Using ControlCenter4 (Windows Only)
- Install ControlCenter4: If you haven’t already, install Brother ControlCenter4 software from the Brother website.
- Open Device Settings: Open ControlCenter4 and select the printer from the device list.
- Network Reset: Find and select the option for resetting network settings.
5. Method 4: Reset via the Brother Web Interface
If your printer is still connected to the network but experiencing Wi-Fi issues, you can reset the Wi-Fi through the printer’s web interface.
a. Access the Web Interface
- Find the Printer’s IP Address: Print a network configuration page from the printer’s control panel to find its IP address. Navigate to “Menu” > “Network” > “Print Network Configuration.”
- Open the Web Interface: Type the printer’s IP address into a web browser’s address bar (e.g.,
http://192.168.x.x). - Log In: Enter the login credentials (default username:
admin, default password:accessor the printer’s serial number). - Reset the Wi-Fi Settings: Navigate to the network settings section, and find the option to reset Wi-Fi or restore network settings. Follow the prompts to complete the reset.
6. Reconnecting to Wi-Fi After the Reset
Once the Wi-Fi settings have been reset, you’ll need to reconnect the Brother printer to your wireless network. Follow these steps:
a. Set Up Wi-Fi Connection
- Go to Network Settings: On the printer’s control panel, press the “Menu” button and navigate to “Network” settings.
- Wireless Setup Wizard: Select “WLAN” > “Setup Wizard” or “Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.”
- Select Your Network: The printer will scan for available Wi-Fi networks. Select your Wi-Fi network (SSID) from the list.
- Enter the Password: When prompted, enter your Wi-Fi network password using the printer’s control panel.
- Connect: Once the password is entered, the printer will attempt to connect to the Wi-Fi network. If successful, a confirmation message will appear, and the Wi-Fi light (if applicable) will turn on.
b. Print a Test Page
To ensure everything is working correctly, print a test page to verify that the printer is successfully connected to the network.
7. Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Connection Issues
If the Brother printer still cannot connect to Wi-Fi after resetting the settings, consider the following troubleshooting tips:
- Check Router Settings: Ensure your Wi-Fi router is functioning properly and that no security settings (such as MAC address filtering) are blocking the printer from connecting.
- Network Interference: Ensure the printer is within a reasonable range of the Wi-Fi router, and there’s minimal interference from other electronic devices.
- Firmware Updates: Check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer on the Brother website, as these may resolve connectivity issues.
Conclusion
Resetting the Wi-Fi on a Brother printer can solve many connection problems and help establish a new, stable connection to your wireless network. Whether you use the control panel, software, or web interface, the process is relatively simple and can be completed within a few minutes. Once the reset is complete, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network and perform a test print to ensure everything is working properly.
